News Byte: Google Buys Into The Internet of Things

Google reported yesterday it had reached an agreement to buy Nest Labs for $3.2 billion in cash. Nest was founded by Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers, both Apple alumni who were members of the iPhone and iPod development teams.

The acquisition is sure to resound with privacy activists and marketers alike who fret that the “Big Four” of Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Amazon aim to dominate control of the digital lives of consumers. Nest, a marketer of Web-connected smoke alarms and thermostats, is a pioneer in the “Internet of Things” that will have consumers connected to the Web via cars, refrigerators, and microwave ovens as well as by PCs and smartphones.

“Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers have built a tremendous team that we are excited to welcome into the Google family,” said Google CEO Larry Page in a statement. “They're already delivering amazing products you can buy right now. We are excited to bring great experiences to more homes in more countries and fulfill their dreams!”

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